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After a number of months in planning, production and postproduction the news that came in, that one of the Film Limerick Trilogy has been successful in selection to this year’s Galway Fleadh has given a boost to all who worked on it. From the writer Peter McNamara, (who has been busy with other projects state side, namely ‘Narcan’ (coming soon)) to the director Stephen Hall, (also busy with other projects that have screened home and abroad), the crew of the film and the Behind The Scenes team (namely Mark Griffin who went above and beyond for the project) this acknowledgement by the Fleadh is something special, inspiring and encouraging.

The scope of the Film Limerick project was not for the faint hearted. To bring the three stories together with three writers and three directors took organising and at times needed a delicate professional hand to harmonise everything together and allow the interweaving of the narratives, characters and locations of Limerick city to compliment each other. Project mentor Gerard Stembridge and project manager Ronan Cassidy brought all this together and with the support of the Limerick City of Culture, Behind the Scenes, Limerick 2020, Limerick Institute of Technology. Even though ‘Day Off’ was the only one of the three selected this by no means is a reflection on the other two films of the trilogy, ‘The Apparel’ and ‘Date:Time’. The same amount of hard work, dedication and attention to detail was given to all three and the fruits of the labour of all cast and crew involved can be seen in every shot and piece of sound. This was certainly evident when all three had their cast and crew screening at the Limerick Film Festival back in April to an audience of nearly two hundred.

As editor on the trilogy, i’m taking great pride in the effort from everyone’s talent and patience with these films. I would encourage everyone to take a look at all three when ever you get a chance to see the film making talent that is growing in this city and region. They need the support and encouragement to continue their passion and goals. Film in Limerick needs to be supported now and into the future, whether the Limerick 2020 bid is successful or not… culture is not just for one year it’s for life and the Film Limerick Project has been only one part of many available by different groups and individuals in the city. It has achieved its goals set way back between the Limerick City of Culture 2014 team and Behind the Scenes. Regardless of people’s difference of opinion of each other, the trilogy films… all films… created in Limerick should not suffer… it is our creativity,… our art,… our culture and long may we continue to practice!

With it’s broadcast premiere on RTE 2’s Shortscreen Monday Night (15th February at 11:40pm), the journey of this intriguing short film is coming full circle. Back in September 2013 director Kevin Liddy contacted me with a hard drive and script under the arm asking if i would take a look at the footage he filmed with DOP Declan Quinn (Leaving Las Vegas, Breakfast on Pluto, In America) in New York.

Shot on 35mm film the approach was to keep to Kevin’s script as much as possible while also allowing the footage to naturally form creative ideas in the edit. Using Avid Media Composer the film was edited over a number of months (some 14-16 passes) while all the time experimenting with Kevin’s vision and Rori Coleman‘s superb music composition.

Simon (editor) with Kevin Liddy (Dir) and Rori Coleman (music) at the screening of The Suffering Kind.

The Suffering Kind has done the rounds on the film festival circuit including: